Chapter 163

Chapter Thirty-One: Hurry Over

　Yuan Xiaoling was deep in thought.

　Walking on the road while thinking, eating lunch at the cafeteria while pondering, and even when she returned to the dormitory, her thoughts were still swirling.

　How could she counsel Bai Ling and ease some of her stress?

　”System, do you have any good ideas that could help me complete this mission more smoothly?”

　Taking advantage of her roommate’s absence, Yuan Xiaoling lay on her bed, muttering into thin air.

　【Ding dong, with the host’s talent in this area, improvisation will suffice.】

　”That’s true, I think so too,” Yuan Xiaoling said proudly, “I’m quite talented at counseling others.”

　She had asked just to hear someone acknowledge it, and hearing it made her feel very satisfied.

　Though the system’s response didn’t seem to mean exactly what she wanted.

　Then pulling up the blanket, closing her eyes, she bid farewell to the day.

　Zzzz

　In these relatively peaceful days, Luo Zou Cheng and Wu Bian became the busiest people.

　They followed White Miss’s instructions, finding one of the best costume design teams in Tianhai City, specifically those with experience in anime-style designs, and worked according to the requirements.

　”Generally speaking, use the costumes from these games as templates, add wedding dress elements, is that the idea?”

　A designer from the team summarized their requirements, and Luo Zou Cheng and Wu Bian nodded repeatedly in agreement.

　To sum up the key points in a single sentence—this was called professionalism.

　”But there’s a small issue; with these game designs, this part here is slightly too large,” the designer placed both hands on her chest, “In reality, it would look less aesthetically pleasing due to emptiness.”

　She phrased it delicately, but everyone else understood her meaning.

　”No problem at all, completely fine,” Luo Zou Cheng said, “Just go ahead and make it.”

　”…Alright.”

　With that, the designer seemed to understand who the clothes were for.

　The matter of the costumes was tentatively settled, but before Luo Zou Cheng and Wu Bian could catch their breath, they received an instruction from Yuan Xiaoling—to increase troop deployment near the Four Squares Academy Ruins and conduct a joint investigation into unknown residential areas of Tianhai City.

　It was a big project, but fortunately, many people were involved, easing the pressure. Still, as trusted confidants of Yuan Xiaoling’s faction, any issues that arose during operations were immediately handed over to them for decision-making.

　Whether important or not, the workload was considerable. But luckily, no problems arose in the first few days.

　On this day, perhaps because there were no classes at Tianhai University—or even if there were, it didn’t matter—anyway, the figure of a white-haired maiden appeared on the second floor of the Grand Hotel.

　”White Miss, what wind has brought you here?” Wu Bian rushed over first, smiling broadly as he greeted her, “Are you here for an inspection, or just casually looking around?”

　”Just casually looking around.”

　White Ling replied with that, then waited a few seconds before adding, “And by the way, I came to check how your work is progressing.”

　Wu Bian had been studying with Luo Zou Cheng lately on “reading the boss’s intentions” and knew one rule: when the boss says something like this, the formalities come first, the focus is on the “by the way.”

　But did White Miss refer to the seemingly more important troop deployment or the private request regarding costume design?

　Wu Bian hesitated for a moment, then tentatively said, “After the hard work of our most excellent design team in Tianhai City, working tirelessly day and night, it’s almost done and can be delivered to you tomorrow morning. The final product is guaranteed to satisfy you.”

　”Hmm,” White Ling nodded faintly, “That’s good.”

　Although she looked calm, Wu Bian understood that this meant satisfaction.

　Just as he was about to step forward and ask if she’d like to visit the design team’s studio, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps, and saw Luo Zou Cheng rushing up.

　”Uh-oh, there’s been an incident at the Four Squares Academy Ruins… White Miss is here?”

　White Ling’s eyelids twitched: “Continue, what happened at the Four Squares Academy Ruins?”

　Luo Zou Cheng glanced at Wu Bian, who shrugged his hands, indicating it wasn’t his responsibility, leaving Luo Zou Cheng to handle it himself.

　”White Miss, I don’t know if it counts as a major event. Someone tried to intrude at the Four Squares Academy Ruins and was intercepted by our side. There was an exchange and conflict, and we’ve already taken control of the person.”

　He paused briefly before continuing, “However, according to reports from frontline personnel, the person subsequently seemed to undergo some changes, with certain parts of their body even showing signs of dematerialization. It feels quite unusual, so an urgent report was submitted requesting instructions.”

　The term “dematerialization” sounded frightening, but in reality, ghosts and spirits also dematerialize. This state was indeed difficult for Enhancement-types, but it didn’t affect Element-types and Mental-types with offensive capabilities much.

　Dematerialization wasn’t the key issue; the problem was that the person had undergone changes, and after the transformation, their strength might not be the same as before.

　Red light flickered faintly in White Ling’s eyes as she moved toward the stairs.

　”Prepare the car, take me to the scene.”

　Near the mountainous area of Tianhai City, within the dense forest region, at the original site of the Four Squares Academy.

　An electromagnetic coil surrounded the small hill where the Four Squares Academy was located, and further out, Spiritual Energy Manipulators guarded the perimeter. There weren’t many people here, roughly equivalent to half a Garrison Unit, mainly tasked with preventing outsiders from entering.

　After being stationed here for a long time, today they finally managed to intercept someone.

　At the temporary camp set up at the base of the mountain, the subdued individual was securely tied to an iron chair. Their body shimmered with alternating light and shadow, occasionally reflecting like a mirror surface, and at other times rippling like water disturbed by the wind. Some parts, such as fingers or hair, would occasionally vanish altogether.

　This eerie sight made even several burly men nearby uneasy.

　”Not good, this aura is still rising, nearing the mid-level of Third-tier.” A master beside him pressed his hand lightly against the restrained person, eyes closed as he carefully sensed, akin to diagnosing through observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking.

　This was a Perception-type Spiritual Energy Manipulator assigned to the camp. He discovered that since the person’s body began changing, their spiritual energy fluctuation level had been gradually increasing, fortunately still within controllable limits, unless…

　Surely it couldn’t rise all the way to Fourth-tier, right?

　Beep beep beep~

　The sound of a car horn rang out, and White Ling disembarked with Wu Bian, swiftly arriving at the camp.

　”White Miss, you’re here,” the camp leader hurriedly greeted her, “He…”

　White Ling waved her hand, sparing words, signaling for others to leave.

　”Everyone step back,” Wu Bian said, “Maintain vigilance outside.”

　No one wanted to get close to this strange entity, and within half a minute, the small prefab building in the camp was empty except for two people.

　White Ling glanced forward; the person had fallen into a coma, motionless, barely breathing. Only the violently shifting light on their body indicated they hadn’t passed away peacefully.

　After pondering for a moment, the girl cautiously released a thread of spiritual power.

　Whoosh!

　The world transformed dramatically, with the passage of time, shifting from the afternoon campsite at the foot of the mountain to a dim alley under the cover of night.

　A woman’s silhouette stood opposite.

　Li Yuehong, or rather… Inner Stone of the Mind.

　”I told you,” a voice echoed eerily from all directions, “you would come looking for me again.”

　White Ling scanned her surroundings; the walls’ textures were rough and blurred, even the flow of wind left streaks resembling Gaussian blur, like a low-quality game model.

　Apparently, the Inner Stone of the Mind hadn’t fully unleashed its power, most of its strength remained trapped in the Four Squares Academy. The binding force wasn’t strong either; she could leave anytime she wished.

　Confirming her safety, White Ling didn’t rush to leave, crossing her arms and saying, “You sought me out, and left hastily without even bringing a henchman.”

　Previously, whether in dreams or at the Four Squares Academy, it always dragged along a crowd, filling the streets with people.

　The woman drifted a few steps to the side, seemingly oblivious to her sarcasm, aimlessly tracing patterns on the wall as if doodling.

　Tired of watching her act cryptic, just as White Ling was about to leave, she heard it say suddenly,

　”White Ling, you’ve changed… Compared to the image in your memories, the current you possesses something extra.”

　”What?”

　The woman turned to look at her, grinning eerily, “An added weakness, which brings fear. Are you… afraid now?”

　White Ling felt a sudden chill.

　”I don’t understand your riddles,” she focused her consciousness, preparing to leave, “If that’s all you have to say, I won’t bother staying.”

　As her consciousness was about to leave this space, the woman’s voice grew distant yet near—

　”Once upon a time, there were dozens of people, each with desires in their hearts, yearning for something. They accepted sweet talk and came here. Desires in their hearts, fearing life and death, they faltered, ultimately becoming forever trapped within the Four Squares Academy.”

　”White Ling, compared to the you in your memories, you’ve changed greatly. The current you is identical to them.”

　Another whoosh, the false heavens shattered piece by piece, and her consciousness returned to reality.

　The person bound to the iron chair no longer exhibited any bodily changes, the trace of mental energy fading along with their life force.

　”Mom…”

　He muttered once, then lost all signs of life.

　A few minutes later, the girl emerged from the camp, and Wu Bian and others quickly approached, “White Miss, how is the situation?”

　”It’s fine, but now I need to return.”

　White Ling’s expression was blank, her face cold and terrifying.

　Seeing her like this, Wu Bian dared not ask further, instructing others to clean up inside, then driving the car over to send White Miss back to Tianhai University.

　What happened inside? He didn’t know, nor dared to ask, so he decided to go back and discuss with Old Luo.

　Time passed quickly today; Yuan Xiaoling blinked, and the sky turned dark.

　”Truly, time flies like an arrow, the sun and moon race like shuttles,” the Blonde Busty Girl sighed.

　Sleeping away the day, how could it not pass quickly?

　Of course, Ning Ning wasn’t lazy. Miss Water Dragon… future Miss White Dragon always had her own deeper purpose, like today, resting up for future endeavors.

　She had even sent her roommate on a beach hotel vacation beforehand.

　Half-dressed, lying down in a seductive… no, pure _(:з」∠)_ pose on the bed, she waited quietly.

　Time ticked by, the moon rose, and its light illuminated Dabeitù, making it appear even purer.

　Not that, why hasn’t she come yet? Where is she?

　Buzz buzz buzz, buzz buzz buzz.

　Yuan Xiaoling didn’t wait for the girl but instead got a call. Picking up, she saw it was from a subordinate at the Grand Hotel.

　”Yo, what’s up?”

　”Miss Yuan, you’re still awake?” came Wu Bian’s voice from the other end, “That’s really great.”

　Yuan Xiaoling thought to herself, of course, she was awake, having just woken up.

　The voice on the phone paused for a moment before continuing, “Here’s the thing, there was a minor incident at the Four Squares Academy Ruins today, and White Miss visited. We don’t know what happened, but when she came out, her mood wasn’t very good.”

　Back at the Grand Hotel, after Wu Bian returned and described the events to Luo Zou Cheng, both were tense.

　They didn’t know what had occurred, but with their highest combatant in this state, it certainly caused unease.

　Wu Bian could have called earlier, but Luo Zou Cheng held him back, saying subordinates shouldn’t only report bad news to their superiors, giving the impression of passing the buck.

　So they went to put pressure on the design group’s studio, offering bonuses as incentives, successfully advancing the schedule a bit before calling Yuan Xiaoling.

　Over at the Broadcasting Department Dormitory of Tianhai University, after hearing the story, Yuan Xiaoling finally understood why White Ling hadn’t come tonight.

　”Don’t worry, she’s just under too much pressure.”

　”…Too much pressure?” Wu Bian was confused.

　Yuan Xiaoling waved her little hand, “Anyway, it’s fine. Leave it to me.”

　If she didn’t come tonight, that’s okay. Tomorrow, Ning Ning would grab her and counsel her.

　”Alright, if Miss Yuan says so, we’re relieved. Also, the clothing requested by White Miss is ready, and will be delivered tomorrow morning.”

　This was the good news Wu Bian and Luo Zou Cheng brought to White Ling.

　”Clothing? Oh, I remember now,” Yuan Xiaoling recalled the heart voices Gu Hui had heard, “Deliver it tomorrow morning.”

　Hanging up the phone, the Blonde Busty Girl slipped out of her clothes and dived back into bed.

　Rest well tonight, and tomorrow give White Ling a proper pep talk.

　Zzzz

　Ding dong dong dong~

　The clock tower’s chimes at Tianhai University sounded light from afar, waking countless students… most of whom promptly returned to sleep.

　White Ling closed her eyes but couldn’t fall asleep.

　Yesterday, that ethereal voice accompanied the night into her dreams, becoming a nightmare she couldn’t shake off.

　This nightmare wasn’t caused by the Inner Stone of the Mind’s power; purely due to her own restlessness.

　Breathing softly in the morning sunlight, the girl realized the Inner Stone of the Mind was right—compared to the self in her memories, she had indeed changed significantly.

　Once, she had lost everything; her loved ones died, distant relatives were involved in betrayal, she had no friends, and her comrades betrayed her. Back then, she had nothing to hold onto, standing at the edge of an abyss behind her, allowing her to face thousands of soldiers and death without fear.

　But now, things were entirely different. Now, there were far too many things. Even if she fell backward, she’d land in a pair of soft mounds.

　During this period, White Ling had read all the records from the Four Squares Academy, listened to several stories, just as the Inner Stone of the Mind said—they were very similar to her.

　The closer she got to their anchor points, the farther she moved away from the Four Squares Academy.

　Buzz buzz buzz, buzz buzz buzz, the phone vibration interrupted the girl’s thoughts.

　White Ling glanced at the incoming call information on the screen and answered, “Yuan Xiaoling?”

　”Hey, it’s me,” came the energetic voice of the Blonde Busty Girl, “Stop sulking, your ordered clothes are here, hurry over to open the package!”